Hydrocarbon-vapor lamp for incandescent lighting



No. 626,930. Patented June I3, |899.

W. S. PROSKEY. A IIYDRGCARBUN VAPOR LAMP FOR INGANDESGENT LIGHTING.

(Application led Dec. 20, 189B.) (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

W'INFIELD SCOTT PROSKEY, OF OCALA, FLORIDA, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD C. STERLING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND DAVID PROSKEY, OF PATERSON,

NEV JERSEY.

HYDROCARBON-VAPORl LAMP vFOR INCANDESCENT LIGHTING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,930, dated June 13, 1899. v

. Application led December 20.1898. Serial No. 699,865. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it' may concer-12,.-

Beit known that I, WINEIELD Scorr PROS- KEY, of Ocala, Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lamps, of j, which the following is a description.

This invention relates to hydrocarbon-vapor lamps for incandescent lighting, the object of the invention being to provide an improved construction of parts with the view of 'o not only facilitating their manufacture, but also improving their mode of operation; and to these general ends my invention consists in a lamp embodying the various features of .construction and arrangement of parts oper- 5 ating substantially in the manner hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of my invention, Figure l is a vertical section showing the lamp.' Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2, Fig. l, the globe being removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the vaporization coil or tube, and Fig. et is a vertical section of a portion of the vaporization-tube and valve l 5 connected therewith.

In the drawings there is shown a single vaporization-coil A, adapted to be con nected with the source of supply of a suitable hydrocarbon and having a suitable cut-off valve D', by

o which the supply of hydrocarbon may be disf continued when the lamp is not in use. The vaporization-coil is shown as coiled around the air-intake tube B and having a portion entering said tube and extending across the 5 same, and the coil may be held in position by suitable means, as a screw A3, passing through an extension on the end rof the coil and engaging the wall of the air-intake tube B, so that the parts are held in suitable relations to each other. This vaporization-coil is provided with a suitable nozzle A2, attached to the tube, as by being screwed into the same, and extending practically at right angles thereto.

The air-intake tube B is shown in the form s of a cylinder supporting the vaporiza'tion-coil,

as above set forth, and receiving at its bottom the mixing-chamber tube C2, the tubes being shown as connected together by screw-threads ;o B2. It will be observed that the mixing-chamber tube C2 passes through a head in the airintake tube B and extends upward toward and in practical contact with the vaporizationcoil A, thus forming a recess or chamber between the walls of the two tubes below the vaporization-coilA, which recess or chamber opens into or forms a part of the air-intake tube B. The nozzle A2 is shown as extending downward to a greater or less extent from the vaporization-coil in'to the mixing-chamber tube C2. By this construction and arrangement of parts the nozzle A2 is protected from the extreme heat from the mantles and is kept relativelycool, thus preventing the formation and deposit of carbon in the nozzle, as more particularly described hereinafter.

Connected to the mixing-chamber tube C2 is the mixing-chamber C, (shown in this case as a cylindrical chamber,) the central portion of the upper surface of which is provided with an opening adapted to receive the screwthreaded end of the mixing-chamber tube C2. This mixing-chamber serves an important function in thoroughly mixing the vapor of the hydrocarbon and the air, as hereinafter described, insuring the formation of a hydrocarbon gas in the chamber. Connected to the mixing-chamber is a series of burners C3, (shown in the form of tubes,) screwed or otherwise fastened in openings in the upper side of the mixing-chamber and provided With caps c, shown in the present instance as being of thick perforated metal designed to allow the hydrocarbon gas to flow freely through the openings and burn off their tops; but the depth of the. perforations in the relatively thick material prevents the flame from flashing back into the lower part of the burner or mixing-chamber, thereby obviating the noise and breakage of mantles due to such shocks or explosions. Arranged in suitable relation with the burners are the mantles F, and in the present instance they are shown as being supported by the uprights F2, adjustably secured to the outside of the mixing-chamber by suitable sock'- ets and screws F3.

Arranged to operate in connection with the nozzle'A2 is a valve-stem d', carrying at its upper end a needle-valve (l, fitting the open- IOO ing in the nozzle A2 and having a thumb-nut D at its lower end. This valve-stem extends through the mixing-chamber tube C2 and through the mixing-chamber C, so that ,itis adapted to be operated from the bottom of the lamp, and it is shown as being provided with nut-locks E E, adjustable on the valvestem and adapted to limit the extreme opening and closure of the valve. It will be observed that the needle is arranged so that it is on vthe low-pressure side of the vaporization tube orcoil, thus tending to avoid any leakage of oil and its attendant odors, and,l

further, the needle is arranged so that it is protected (especially at its point of junction with the nozzle) from extreme heating, thereby avoiding the formation and deposit of carbon thereon. Further, if perchance any foreign substance is delivered with the oil and reaches the nozzle the needle can readily be used as a cleaner for the nozzle without disturbing the adjustment of the parts.

The operative parts of the lamp are incased, and I have shown a hood G, connected to the air-intake tube B in any suitable way, as by bracket-arms g, and adapted to support the globe II, which is shown as having an opening h and as being attached to the hood through the medium of an encircling ring G2 by a bayonet-joint or other adjustable fasten- 1n g. f

In this class of lamps some suitable means must be providedfor securing the initial temperature to vaporize the hydrocarbon, and I have shown a cup .Iconnected to the mixingchamber tube C2, and there is a tube I, shown as provided with a funnel-shaped mouth i, extending beyond the hood, through which alcohol or other material may be supplied to the cup.

Such being the construction and arrangement of the lamp shown, its operation will be largely understood from what has been said above, and briefly it is as follows: The alcohol or other material in the cup being ignited and the cut-off valve D being opened, the vaporization-coil A becomes heated and the hydrocarbon therein is vaporized and upon the opening of the valveD passes downward through the mixing-chamber tube C? in the form of a jet of vapor, and this draws in through the air-intake tube B the requisite supply of air. The-vapor and air being thus forced downward into the mixing-chamber C, they are thrown violently together and a perfeet mixture of hydrocarbon gas is provided, which, passing upward through the burners C3, is ignited, burning with a violet-blue ame, heating the mantles F to incandescence, and furnishing thereby an intensely luminous white light, and the resulting heat continues the vaporization of the hydrocarbon in the coil.

In this class of lamps it is extremely desirable to avoid the buzzing or humming noise due to the inrush of air, and it will be observed that the air-intake tube B is a straight tube providing a free passage of air to and around the nozzle and through vthe mixingchamber tube, and the ultimate mixing of the air and gas is thoroughly accomplished in the mixing-chamber by the two elements being violently thrown together therein. Another disadvantage in this class of lamps results from the formation and deposit of carbon in the nozzle and on the needle-point, thereby materially interfering with the perfect operation of the lamp, and it will be observed that in my construction the nozzle and needle-point are located in a relatively cool rposition and are protected from the intense heat from the burners. Th'us it will be seen that the nozzle i-s'immediately surrounded by the upward extension of the mixing-chamber tube'C'*Z entering the air-intake tube B, and

, this in turn is surrounded by the latter tube,

forming the chamber B4 between the two tubes, and' this chamber being'constantly supplied with cool air forms an additional protecting-wall for the nozzle and needle without materially interfering with the vaporization of the hydrocarbon in the coil surrounding the air-intake tube. It will also be observed that by thus arranging the coil it is in the most advantageous position in my lamp to obtain the maximum vaporization with the minimum heating-surface. It is. further to be remarked that in this lamp as above described the air passes to the mixing-ch amber in a practically right line, avoiding any curved passages liable to produce disagreeable noises, and, further, the air-intake tube and mixing-chamber tube are relatively large, permitting the free flow of the vapor and air to the mixing-chamber, and by A using a relatively large Supply-pipe for the hydrocarbon and properly proportioning the parts (there being no undue mechanical obstruction to the fiow of the vapor and air) I am enabled to operate my lamp under eX- ceedingly low pressure with hi gli-test hydrocarbon, which is an extremely desirable feature in this class ot' lamps. It is furt-her to be observed that the parts composing the lamp are simple in character, requiring little special manipulation, and that the parts are adjustably connected and can be assembled or separated, and the whole can be made without special tools being required to form the different parts.

What I claim is-' l. In a vapor-lamp for incandescent light- IIO ing, the combination with the miXing-cham- I 4 ber, of an air-intake tube directly open to the atmosphere and connected in a right line to said chamber, and a vaporization-coil surrounding and closely conforming to the external contour of the air-intake tube, substantially as described.

2. In a vapor-lamp for incandescent lighting, the combination with the mixing-chamber, of an air-intake tube directly open to the atmosphere and connected in a right line to said chamber, and a vaporization-coil surrounding and closely conforming to the external contour of the air-intake tube and having an extension projecting into said tube, substantially as described.

3. In a vapor-lamp for incandescent lighting, the combination with the mixing-chamber, of an air-intake tube directly open to the atmosphere and connected in a right line tov said chamber, a vaporization-coil surrounding the air-intake tube and closely conforming to the external contour of said tube and having an extension projecting into the tube, a nozzle delivering in said tube, and a needle-valve on the low-pressure side of the vaporizatiou-coil, substantially as described.

4. In a vapor-lamp for incandescent lighting, the combination with the mixing-chamber, of an air-intake tube having a head, a mixing-chamber tube connecting the mixingchamber and air-intake tube and extending into the latter forming a chamber between the two, and a nozzle extending into the mixing-chamber tube and surrounded by said chamber, substantially as described.

5. In a vapor-lamp for incandescent lighting, the combination with the mixing-chamber, of an air-intake tube having a head, a mixing-chamber tube connecting the mixingchamber and air-intake tube and extending into the latter forming a chamber between the two, a vaporization-coil having an extension extending into the airintake tube, and a nozzle projecting into the mixing-chamber tube, substantially as described.

6. In a vapor-lamp for incandescent lighting, the combination with the mixing-chamber, of an air-intake tube having a head, a mixing-chamber tube connecting the mixingchamber and air-intake tube and extending through the head ofthe same forming a chamber at the lower end of the air-intake tube, a vaporization-coil surroundingthe air-intake tube and having an extension projecting into the tube above the mixing-chamber tube, and a nozzle connected to the extension and projecting into the end of the mixing-chamber tube, substantially as described.

7. In a vapor-lamp for incandescent lighting, the combination with the mixing-chamber, ot an air-intake tube directly open to the atmosphere, a mixing-chamber tube connecting the chamber with the air-intake tube, a vaporization-coil surrounding and closely conforming to the external contour of the airintake tube and having an extension-projecting into the ai r-intake tube, a nozzle extendinginto the mixing-chamber tube, and a valve extending through the mixing-chamber and mixing-chamber tube coperating with the nozzle, substantially as described.

S. In a vapor-lamp forincandescent lighting, the combination with the mixing-chamber, of an air-intake tube, a mixing-chamber VVtube connecting the chamber with the air-intube and having an extension projectingl therein, and a nozzle centrallyarranged Within the air-intake tube, the air-intake tube and mixing chamber tube being arranged in a right line, whereby the air is drawn directly in through the air-intake tube and passes with the vapor through the mixing-chamber tube, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this,

specification i-n the presence of two subscrib- 4 ing witnesses.

VINFIELD SCOTT PROSKEY.

Witnesses:

E. C. STERLING, THOMAS H. ROTHWELL. 

